BHPartA

Barrington Hall
Final chapters Part A

Wendy stood in the doorway of the library watching Ricky thumb through a book as he leaned against the dark oak shelving. She knew something had been bothering him for some time, but hadn�t gained the courage to ask. Wendy never thought she would see the day she would feel apprehensive toward asking Ricky anything, but something about his demeanor had changed these last few weeks.

His boyish looks, the ones she had fallen in love with, were now those of a young man on the brink of adulthood. In the past 3 years he had grown several inches, in fact he was now as tall as his father. Alex and the other girls teased Wendy about Ricky�s sexy deep voice, his muscular arms, washboard stomach and gorgeous tan, how Ricky belonged to her and she didn�t have any idea what to do with such a sexy hunk! Wendy knew their teasing was all in good fun, but she wasn�t worried, because she knew they were right, Ricky had always been hers. The only thing that hadn�t changed was his sandy blonde hair, deep blue eyes and his undying affection for her.

Their puppy love had grown into true love and his boyish pranks, thrown to the wayside. Wendy had no doubt her father had noticed all of the changes and was keeping a close eye on the both of them as usual.

More than a year and a half had passed between Ricky�s last encounter with his father and he had thrown himself into working in town and in the hay fields as much as he was allowed, but all he seemed to do these past few weeks was study and it was beginning to get on Wendy�s last nerve! She wanted so badly to know what could be so much more interesting than she was.

Ricky caught the glimpse of Wendy in the doorway, but didn�t look over. He tried to keep his smile under wraps wondering just how long Wendy would stand there. Finally he decided to let her off the hook. �How long have you been standing there?� he asked. He snapped the book shut and placed it onto the shelf.

�Just a few minutes,� she replied. �I didn�t want to disturb you,� Wendy shuffled in and out of the tables working her way toward him.

�It�s not possible for you to disturb me, Wendy.� Ricky leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Wendy closed her eyes and absorbed his affections.

�I�ve been looking all over for you! What are you doing in the library on a Saturday?� she asked.

�I have a psychology paper due Monday and If I don�t get it finished, I�m afraid I won�t get better than a D in the class.�

�Have you talked to Mom and Dad about it?�

�Just this morning, I talked to Dad, and I had to admit that I�ve been slacking horribly and have no one to blame but myself. Dad said a D isn�t acceptable and that I will have to take the class again during the summer. That I do not want to do!�

�Is that what�s been bothering you these past few weeks? Wendy rubbed her hand up Ricky�s arm stopping just below his shoulder.

Ricky stopped scanning the shelf of books and took Wendy�s hand. �In the grand scheme of things, this report and class is rather small, but I am not ready to discuss how I�m feeling, with you just yet, so you will have to be patient with me a little longer.�

�I don�t know how much longer I can be patient with you. I thought when we had trouble, we turned to each other for help. I feel like you�re angry with me for something, and just don�t want to say.�

Ricky sighed and his voiced stiffened. �I will tell you when I feel the time is right, but I assure you, you have done nothing that would make me angry with you. I love you! Now, I really have to get back to my paper, but we will spend some time together after dinner. I promise.�

Wendy nodded.

When she reached the door of the library, she turned again for a minute. Ricky, already absorbed in his book search, seemed as though she hadn�t been there at all. Wendy wondered if he had lied about not being angry with her. She didn�t know how much longer she could wait. Wendy turned and headed down the hall and out the front door. The trees swayed back and forth as the summer wind picked up, died down and then picked up again. Three adults and several children were outside enjoying the summer like weather even though school wasn�t out for a few more days. Wendy took a seat on the front steps, tucked her Navy blue skirt under her legs then turned her thoughts to the small children running around the swings and waiting in line to go down the slide. Their laughter brought back memories of her first day here and she could hardly believe it had been almost 6 years. There had been so many changes in her life since that day. It didn�t occur to her to not want to be here anymore. Barrington Hall was her home and with her 17th birthday just around the corner, rules were something she didn�t seem to worry about anymore.

�Wendy, what�s wrong with you?� Alex swooped her skirt under her and took a seat beside Wendy on the steps. �Didn�t you hear me call you?�

�I didn�t hear you, I guess I was deep in thought.�

�So what did he have to say?�

�Who?� Wendy asked.

�Are you kidding! Ricky, of course. You did talk to him, didn�t you?�

Wendy stretched her legs out and leaned back onto the palms of her hands. �You know, I don�t know what�s wrong with him. He says it�s studying, finals and everything, but I just don�t know if I believe him. There just has to be something wrong with me.�

�Wendy! Look at you, you�re gorgeous and he�d be crazy not to see it!�

�So then, do you think it�s just studying?� Wendy asked. Alex shrugged her shoulders and glanced out into the playground.

�Oh my gosh, Wendy. Do you think it could be�.� Alex looked around, then leaned to Wendy�s ear and whispered.

Wendy�s eyes widened and she scooted away from Alex. �That�s crazy! He�s never even hinted that that�s what he wants and I think I would know if he did.� Wendy paused for a minute. �Wouldn�t I?�

�Well I don�t know if that�s it or not, but you better ask him, cause if you don�t and he goes off to college, he�ll get it from the first girl who offers.�

Wendy jumped up! �He better not go and get it from some girl in college!� Wendy turned and stomped into the building. Alex jumped up and ran after her.

�Where are you going?� Alex asked

�I�m gonna go smack the crap out of someone!�

Alex grabbed Wendy by the arm. �You have to calm down and think about what your doing. I didn�t mean anything by what I said, and it�s not like he cheated on you or anything. I just think if that�s what he wants, he hasn�t said anything because he respects you and he�s doing his best to control it.�

�Why is it that you know so much and I know so little about my own boyfriend?�

�Because you�re too close and everyone knows by the time boys hit puberty, they all want it! All I can say about Ricky, is he�s definitely gone through puberty in a huge way!� Alex winked and smiled and Wendy knew exactly what she meant.

�I think I need to be alone for awhile so I can think.� Wendy turned and headed down the hall toward the stairs. Alex followed.

�We should go into town with mom tomorrow and go to the public library.�

Wendy started up the stairs �We have a library here!� she replied.

�Yeah! But it doesn�t have the kind of books you need, and you need them bad!�

Wendy stopped and turned toward Alex. �Remember how I said I wanted to smack the
crap out of someone?�

�Yeah! Ohhhhh� Alex backed down the stairs. Wendy turned and continued up.

Wendy opened the window in her room so the cool summer breeze could filter in. She tried to put her and Alex�s discussion out of her mind, but she couldn�t help and wonder if some of what Alex said, wasn�t true. Wendy thought about Ricky and his perfect smile, his captivating blue eyes and his gorgeous sexy body. Surely in college, away from her, he might be tempted to fulfill an urge or two or three of four. The thought of it overwhelmed Wendy and she threw herself onto her bed. �Ohhh Jessica, I need you now more than ever! Why aren�t you here?�

During supper, Wendy sat across from Ricky with her hands on her cheeks, watching him as he shoved his food into his mouth like he was going to a fire. Ricky suddenly noticed Wendy staring and not eating. �What�s with you tonight?� he asked. �why aren�t you eating?�

Wendy glanced down at her plate and realized she hadn�t eaten a thing. �I, uh guess I just forgot!� she picked up her fork. Ricky stood and picked up his plate.

�Where are you going?� Wendy asked.

�One of the guys at the movie theater has a family thing and has to leave early so Vince asked me If I�d work the two late shows tonight, and I said I would.�

�But you said we would spend some time together tonight.�

�Wendy, don�t whine!�

�Fine! Go!� Wendy stood and picked up her untouched plate of food.

Ricky took her plate and sat both his and her onto the table. He took her by the hand and led her out of the cafeteria and down the hall. �I know what I said, and I�m sorry I�m breaking our date but It�s more money for us later on. Wendy, I know you can understand!�

�I don�t think I want to understand, Ricky.�

�Don�t do that,� he scolded.

�Don�t do what?�

Ricky�s voice raised �That hurt look of yours you always give me when you want me to feel bad for something I can�t control.�

�Well, if I want to be mad at you, then I think I will?� Wendy scolded

�Are we fighting?� Ricky asked. Wendy didn�t answer him.

Ricky stared for a second at Wendy, then took hold of her shoulders and backed her gently into the corner. He placed his hands gently onto her face, leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. Wendy couldn�t fight him as heat rushed through her body as Ricky continued the passionate lip lock. Wendy relaxed and tried to make the kiss last as long as she could. When his lips parted from hers, Wendy knew Alex had been right about what Ricky wanted. He had been trying to tell her, she just hadn�t been listening. Ricky didn�t give Wendy a chance to say anything. He turned and ran down the hall. Wendy stood there in a daze. She turned and peered out the window just in time to see Ricky speed by in his cherished 69 ford convertible.

The next afternoon Alex, Wendy, Sarah and their mother went into town to do some shopping. Alex and Wendy went to the library and Sarah stayed with Patricia.

�So where do we start?� Wendy asked.

�The information desk?� Alex asked.

�Yeah, I can just see it. �Excuse me, lady, can you help me find a book called �How to make love to your boyfriend?�

�It could work,� Alex replied.

�Ya, if you�re crazy!�

Alex shrugged and headed toward the non fiction section of the library. She went up and down a few rows skimming the books, Wendy followed.

�I found them!� Alex whispered. Alex took a book off the shelf and so did Wendy. Not sure what she was looking for, she thumbed through the book.

�Alex, this book has drawings in here!� Alex leaned in and looked over Wendy�s shoulder.

�Oh my God! Wendy slammed the book shut and placed it back onto the shelf. �I really don�t think that�s what Ricky has in mind at least I hope not!�

�Here, read this book!� Alex handed Wendy a soft cover book.

�Romance and Intimacy.� �guide to sensual love making� Hmm this sounds a little more like it!� Wendy thumbed through the book. �I think this is the one I need to read.�

�I can�t believe you don�t know anything about Sex.� Alex exclaimed.

�I know what it is, I just don�t know what to do.� Wendy replied.

�You don�t have to know what to do, when the time is right, it just happens the way it�s meant to.� Alex responded.

�How come I am just thinking about this now, Alex?� Wendy asked.

�Maybe you�re secretly practicing to be a Nun!�

Wendy scowled �And how come you know so much about this stuff, Alex?�

Alex smiled, then handed Wendy her library card. When they got to the front counter, the lady behind the desk glared at them.

�It�s not what you think. She�s doing a report for school on different kinds of relationships.�

The lady behind the counter smiled and scanned the book.

�You know if you keep up all that lying, you�re gonna go to hell, Alex!

�Did you just swear?� Alex asked.

When Alex and Wendy met back up with Patricia and Sarah in front of the diner, Sarah was rubbing the back of her left leg and looked as though she had been crying. Their mother looked upset too.

�What�s the matter, Mom?� Wendy asked.

�Did you find what you were looking for at the library?�

�Yes Ma�am, we did.� Alex replied.

�Good then, because this shopping day is over!�

When Sarah moved her hand to open the car door, her skirt flew up and Wendy could see a very distinct handprint on the back of her thigh. She wondered what Sarah had done to deserve a smack in public. Alex and Wendy sat in the backseat, while Sarah sat sobbing in the front.

Once they hit the country road and were out of town, Patricia scolded Sarah. �What were you thinking, young lady? Huh?�

�I don�t know!� Sarah cried. Sarah placed her head in her hands and mumbled. �Please don�t tell Daddy!

Wendy and Alex looked at each other. Both knew it was serious if Sarah was begging mom not to tell dad.

�Well I can guarantee that your father will know, and you�re going to tell him just as soon as we get home!�

�I don�t want to!� Sarah cried.

�I didn�t ask you if you wanted to. You will tell him and then maybe next time, you will know better than to put something in your purse and try to walk out without paying!�

�You stole something?� Alex yelled

�Alexandra, this doesn�t concern you,� Patricia looked into the rearview mirror.

�Yes Ma�am,� she replied.

Both girls sat quietly in the back seat, The closer to Barrington Hall they got, the more Sarah cried.

When Patricia parked the car Alex and Wendy climbed out and headed for the main hall. Just as they reached the main steps, Mark came through the doors. Wendy was happy that the lady at the library put the book in a library bag.

�What�s the matter with Sarah?� he asked.

�We were at the library, so I don�t know exactly what happened, but I know Sarah doesn�t want you to know!� Alex replied.

�Wendy, Mrs. Brown just called and wants to know if you can work for a couple of hours tomorrow at the book store while she runs some errands. I told her you had school but could probably do it after 3:30.�

�What did she say?�

�She said 3:30 would be fine and that she shouldn�t be gone more than 2 hours.� The entire time Mark was talking to Wendy, he was watching the confrontation between Sarah and Patricia. �Excuse me, girls, but I think I need to go and help your mother.�

Alex and Wendy scurried inside. Neither of them wanted to be around for anything that was about to take place.

�What seems to be the problem?� Mark asked. Patricia didn�t need to reply as Mark could see Sarah had locked herself in the car. Mark reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. �Sarah! You do not want me to have to use this key. Sarah hesitated then reached over and unlocked the door.

Mark opened the door, clutched Sarah by the arm and pulled her from the car. �I think you should explain what is going on here.� he scolded.

Sarah sobbed the words of how she had asked for something that cost too much and how Patricia told her no. how badly she wanted it, so she stuck it into her purse and tried to walk out of the store. Patricia filled him in on how the alarm went off and the item was found undamaged in her purse. She told Mark of the kindness of the store owner not wanting to press charges due to the fact that Sarah was only 10 years old.

Marks voice grew stern. �I think we had this talk once before, did we not?�

Sarah looked up at Mark and nodded.

�I think it involved some candy bars at the store about 3 months ago. I was lenient and only grounded you, after we had a long talk and you promised me, you would never do it again. Do you remember that talk?�

�Yes, Sir.� Sarah wiped her eyes again.

�And what did I say to you, then?�

Sarah�s voice quivered. �You said it didn�t matter if it was a candy bar or something more expensive. Taking anything without paying, is stealing.�

You remember all of what I said that day, yet you did it again!�

�Yes, Sir.�

�So, then what did I say would happen if for some reason, you got sticky fingers again?�

Sarah wiped her eyes again, then slowly reached out and placed the tip of her finger on the belt wrapped around Marks waist.

�You knew what would happen, yet you did it anyway! Let�s go!�

Mark took Sarah by the scruff of the neck and headed for Barrington Hall. Some of the children in the hall stopped and stared when Mark came through with Sarah. Patricia reminded the children to go about their business. When they reached the stairs, Mark turned to Patricia. �Is their anything else you need to add or say to Sarah before we go up?�

Patricia shook her head. Mark turned Sarah around and they started up the stairs.

�Daddy, I�m sorry. I promise I really won�t EVER do it again.� She wailed.

Mark never responded to Sarah�s pleas to not spank her, he opened the door to her room and they disappeared inside. Mark led Sarah over to her bed and turned her to face him. He then unhooked his buckle and pulled the long leather belt from around his waist. He doubled it and clutched the buckle in his left hand. Sarah couldn�t say anything for her mouth was full of sobs. Mark took a seat on the edge of her bed and pulled her toward him. �I�m sorry you didn�t learn the first time, maybe if I had whipped you then, I wouldn�t be having to Whip you now.�

�No, Daddy!� Sarah cried.

Mark pulled Sarah across his knee and positioned her bottom for proper aim. When Mark started to lift her skirt, Sarah grabbed it. �No, Daddy!� No!

�You let go, right now!� He scolded.

Sarah let go and quickly covered her face with her hands. With a quick swish, up went her skirt and down came her panties. Sarah let out a long painful squeal just before the belt smacked her bottom.

�I won�t do it again!� she wailed. Another smack landed, Sarah jumped and yelped.

�Nooooooooo,� she cried. Sarah threw her hands over her bottom, but Mark quickly gathered them up and absorbed them into his large hand. He moved them to the side. Sarah squealed. �No more, please!�

�This is enough from you!� he scolded. He moved his hand down the belt to shorten it and went to work giving out short swift whacks. Sarah squealed and yelped like a wounded puppy with each blow. When Mark felt she had had enough, he sat the belt down, pulled Sarah from across his knee and stood her in front of him.

Sarah threw her hands back and started rubbing at the same time she wobbled up and down crying �I won�t do that ever again!�

Mark pulled her in and she collapsed her head onto his shoulder.

�I�m sorry. I�m so sorry, Daddy!�

�I�m sure you are, but I think maybe you should be telling that to your mother.�

Sarah stopped wiggling and calmed herself a bit. �I will tell her. I will before I go to supper.�

Mark stood and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. He picked up the belt and sent it back through the loops. Sarah watched to make sure that�s what he was doing before she laid down on her bed and put her face in her pillow. Mark covered Sarah with a blanket before leaving the room.